Mitchell Hughes

Mitchell Hughes is head sports reporter and presenter with NBN News in Newcastle. Mitch started his career as an editor with NBN, before graduating from Newcastle University and taking his first reporting job in the Tweed Heads/Gold Coast region.

Melbourne’s win over the Mariners means the Victory is still a mathematical chance of catching the Jets in second spot. But Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick is confident his side will finish runner-up – maintaining Sydney will win the Premier’s Plate.

Emily Van Egmond has been selected in the Matildas’ 23-woman squad for the Asian Cup in Jordan. The Jets favourite now heads into camp in WA to prepare for Monday’s friendly against Thailand. Next month’s Asian Cup will also serve as a qualifier for the 2019 World Cup. Fellow Jet Hannah Brewer missed out on Alen Stajcic’s squad.

Three Lake Macquarie sailors are on their way to Brazil tonight, as part of leg seven of the Volvo Ocean Race. More than half a million fans made the stopover in Auckland a memorable one for Lucas Chapman, Kyle Langford and Chris Nicholson. Langford is the best placed local – Team Brunel currently sits in third spot.

Some sad news in the sport of lawn bowls, with New South Wales Hall of Famer Bob Fishlock passing away over the weekend, just a few weeks short of his 90th birthday. Bob played for Newcastle 181 times, and made more than 100 appearances for his state. He was also regarded as one of the game’s best coaches, mentoring players at clubs such as Hamilton, Windale and Lambton.

Wests will look to win the Newcastle Cricket grand final for the first time since 1966 after overcoming Hamwicks in today’s semi. In the other match, Merewether edged out Charlestown. Defending a total of 142, Merewether had some early shouts. Josh Geary made a breakthrough when he trapped Jed Dickson. Tim O’Neill did plenty of damage, rolling Bayley McGill for one of his four wickets. Charlestown took the game down to the wire, but fell five runs short.

Newcastle has retained the Kibble-Mallon Cup, after beating the Mustangs in Maitland last night. The visitors were led by American import Austin Thornton, who poured in an impressive 39 points and added 16 rebounds. Jacob Foy backed up from the youth league game to score 23. Maitland was in front by one at quarter time and at the main break, as Karl Moore contributed 22 points and 12 boards. But the Hunters hit the front in the third quarter and eventually finished on top 93 to 87.

In New Zealand, the Phoenix ruined a host of chances, as Jason Hoffman secured the Jets’ win. In more positive news, imports Ronald Vargas and Pato Rodriguez made successful returns from injury in a game Ernie Merrick admits the Jets should’ve lost.

Former Jet and Newcastle-bred footballer Kristian Brymora has spoken about playing in the youth team at Millwall FC in London. The club whose championship division side features Socceroos Tim Cahill and James Meredith. “When I was younger I used to watch Tim so that’s a dream come true for me. But for all the youngers boys it’s a positive thing to look up to these two boys and just for myself as well to look forward and look for that first team position.” Even Meredith appreciates having Australia’s greatest goalscorer back at the Lions. “It’s fantastic and you know he’s very professional and he’s making me more professional.”

Another blow for the Jets, with Wayne Brown ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Wellington because of illness – Mario Shabow takes his place on the bench. Dimi Petratos hopes to help Newcastle to a win over the Phoenix, before heading to Europe with the Socceroos.

Australia’s Ben Simmons has chalked up another milestone in the NBA, registering his seventh triple-double in his rookie season, to tie with the legendary Magic Johnson. Simmons though still sits a long way behind Oscar Robertson, who had 26 triple-doubles in his first campaign in 1961. Unfortunately, the Hunter product’s effort today couldn’t help the 76ers beat Indiana, as the Pacers won 101 to 98.